David Guetta’s ‘Nothing but the Beat’ (Tomtit Music Reviews 8)
This DJ has Terpsichore by the throat
The album title doesn’t lie. And by “the beat,” David Guetta means four on the floor, because that’s what you get for 11 of 13 tracks on this 2011 release from EMI. It may be the beat of choice for EDM, but other DJs find ways to mix it up. When Guetta finally takes a cue from Fatboy Slim and Deadmau5, it’s a welcome relief. “I Just Wanna F” shocks with syncopation, however unimaginative, and “Lunar,” with its heavy pulse, is an instrumental siphoned off Daft Punk. Also, beware a dash of Skrillex. The full roster of vocalists from hip-hop, pop and R&B offsets the dearth of beats, but too often they’re punching out as soon as they punch in. I don’t know what Nicki Minaj charges per word, but I demand more bars. Before you can get bored, though, the album closes strong with “Titanium,” featuring powerful vocals and an uplifting message from Sia. This one is for spring breakers, not beat connoisseurs.
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